The Return to the Throne

This week in history class we learned about the Congress of Vienna and their meetings. We did a small project where we were put the shoes of Clemens von Metternich, the prince of Austria at the time and host of the Congress of Vienna. We were given circumstances for topics that the Congress was actually faced with and were required to make a decision for each problem based on what we thought that Metternich would have done. As we took in each and every factor and made a well-thought hypothesis of what Metternich and the Congress of Vienna chose as a resolution for each topic, we were constantly reminded by an overarching question. This essential question was: what should people in power do when their power is threatened? People in power should give the citizens what they want and provide for them, winning them back and creating security from any thoughts of revolts or having their power in jeopardy.

One topic that was brought before the Congress of Vienna was who was to rule France now. They believed in Principle of Legitimacy, which is to restore lawful monarchs. Metternich and the Congress of Vienna decided to make the brother of Louis XVI, who would rule under the name of Louis XVIII, the new ruler of France. This brought the Bourbon family back to the throne, which eliminated threats of power to those in the Congress of Vienna. It eliminated threats to their power because there would be a monarchy once again and they would achieve Principle of Legitimacy. Also, if they put Napoleon's son at the head of France, the people might revolt or try to achieve what Napoleon did because many of their citizens were on the side of Napoleon. And his son might even free Napoleon and then Napoleon would seize control once again. Napoleon gave the citizens more rights and freedom and a better lifestyle which ultimately decreased the power of the ruler and increased the power of the citizens, but now that they have restored monarchy and the rightful monarchy family, the citizens will lose rights, freedom, and power and then the rulers will regain control once again.

I believe that they made the right decision for themselves but the wrong decision for their citizens, the country of France, and even the world. They should have seen the success of the United States' democracy and copied that idea which would give the citizens’ rights and freedom and they would feel as though they controlled the country even though the government still has control. This would benefit the citizens, the country, and the world but the rulers would have to sacrifice some of their power. It's a small price to pay for so many positive outcomes of this style of rule, which is why the rulers should be able to sacrifice their power because it will save them of any thoughts whatsoever of an uprising. The powerful should be able to sacrifice their power in certain circumstances such as a revolt or in order to form a democracy.

Napoleon's Influence on Europe

Napoleon Bonaparte was a hero to many, conquering almost all of Europe. Napoleon was a french leader, carrying his country to success during his reign. Napoleon impacted the social, economical, and political systems of Europe in positive ways.

Napoleon impacted the social systems of Europe in a positive way. Napoleon abolished titles of nobility and serfdom. This led to more equal rights and freedom. Under the rule of Napoleon, more citizens had rights property and access to education than had been the case before his rule. Napoleon gave the people of Europe better living conditions.

Napoleon impacted the economical systems of Europe in a positive way. Napoleon controlled prices, encouraged new industry, and built roads and canals in order to restore economic prosperity. Napoleon also removed trade barriers and stimulated Industry. This led to an increase in trade. Napoleon established the Bank of France, balanced the budget, and undertook massive public works programs. Napoleon increased the economy in Europe by making many crucial changes.

Napoleon impacted the political systems of Europe in a positive way. He established a "meritocracy" in which people were rewarded based on their skills, rather than their social class. Napoleon also reorganized the government and established the Institute of Egypt, which began the study of ancient Egypt, while invading Egypt. Napoleon increased the political systems of Europe while also increasing the economic systems of Europe.

Napoleon impacted the social, economical, and political systems of Europe in positive ways. He changed the social systems of Europe by giving the citizens more rights, liberty, and freedom. He changed the economical systems of Europe by controlling trade, industry, prices, and creating banks and public works programs. Napoleon changed the political systems of Europe by forming a meritocracy and changed the governments of all of the countries that he conquered. Napoleon impacted Europe in many different ways.

RAFT Luddites: Taking Sides

In early industrialization, there was a group known as the Luddites who protested their beliefs by taking physical action. Luddites were skilled weavers, mechanics, and other artisans who were followers of a mythical figure named "Ned Ludd" and attacked machines and factories in early industrialization. They protested for economic hardship, class warfare, and to protest the leaders of the factories. The following paragraph is not a primary source letter; it is a mock primary source letter that shows the perspective of a young girl who is a factory worker during the time of the Luddites.

The image above depicts two Luddites hammering a piece of machinery in a factory. (Tom Morgan / Mary Evans Picture Library)

Dear cousin,

Yesterday was my sixteenth birthday. I just began working in a local factory in order to help support my family and to gain more freedom. I am writing to you out of frustration of this new group that is know as the Luddites. The Luddites are poor craftsmen who are just mad that the machines are taking all of their jobs and that they don't have any money. They go around to factories, smashing and breaking all of the machinery to get their revenge. They don't like industrialization because it stole their jobs, but industrialization has treated me very good. It has provided me with an opportunity to support my family and gain independence by giving me this job. I am against the Luddites because they are breaking the equipment that I need in order to preserve my job. If they destroy all of the equipment, then I will lose my job. I need to do something about this. I am going to report any and all Luddites that I see or catch. There is not much that I can do but this will help to some degree. Hopefully in my next letter, I will have great news of rejoice and I will tell you all of the details.

Wish me luck,

Patricia

Attitudes Towards Women

Not only did children work in factories and mills during the industrial revolution but women also began to work in these mills in search for happiness. Women were motivated to work in the Lowell mills because they were searching for freedom and liberty. As shown in the Lucy Hall video, women had the opportunity to go and start a new life and make there own money and have their own freedom. They wanted to make sure that they didn't live the same lives as their mothers because they believe that their mothers lives are not how women should live; having no property and no rights or freedom. Their decisions to go to the mills had both good and bad effects. Some costs include their family having one less person to help work on the farm and the loss of pride that their fathers felt when they had to send away their daughter to make enough money for them. Some benefits include having one less mouth to feed, the women learned proper manners and how to be proper women, they had food and shelter, their were stores there for the girls to shop in, and they women made money for their family and sent the money back to their families. Opportunities for women and restrictions on their working lives reflect attitudes towards women in the 1800's because women were developing rights and beginning to slowly gain freedom and, during the time, as women began to take more actions upon mistreatment people began to respect them more and treat them a little bit more equal. Women gained more freedom and liberty by working in mills and people began to reflect these attitudes towards them in the 1800's.